Eklund: More Expansion...Is Bell working to put a team in Markham or Quebec?

1. Would the NHL put a team in Markham?
No

2. Would the Lefs be OK with it, and would it actually matter?
No, and of course it would.

3. Do you think Markham or Quebec could actually support a team with the Habs and Leafs so much a part of the culture?
Markham easily could. Quebec City does not have the economic base to support an NHL franchise.

If you could pick two cities to put expansion teams, where would they be?
Nowhere and nowhere. 32 is enough.

No quebec will not have a new team soon if ever, Winnipeg has a hard time supporting the Jets and they are = or have 10-20K more people than Quebec city, the NHL will not want 2 teams in canada that could fold any given year

And Bell still owns nearly 20% stake in the Habs...so sure, unless another sell off is coming I don't think they're allowed to be owners of two teams.

Pretty sure through that terrible grammatical jumble of paragraphs you stumbled upon what's actually happening. They're getting out of the sports biz.

Unfortunately Quebec is not going to get a team. No way the NHL goes there when they could tap a new market like Houston or Kansas City. OR an old one again like Atlanta (barf).

It's MSG to Elmont. Just saying. Let's go Islanders.

Slow rumor day? The Quebec rumors have always been knocked down by the weak Canadian dollar. And a team to Markham have never been greenlighted by the important big revenue club the
Toronto Maple Leafs.

And Bell still owns nearly 20% stake in the Habs...so sure, unless another sell off is coming I don't think they're allowed to be owners of two teams.

Pretty sure through that terrible grammatical jumble of paragraphs you stumbled upon what's actually happening. They're getting out of the sports biz.
- Octavarium

very true about th Habs ownership...for now

It's MSG to Elmont. Just saying. Let's go Islanders.
- HolyDiver83

true...im just talking the horrible trip I used to the on the LIE to get to Nassau Coliseum

No quebec will not have a new team soon if ever, Winnipeg has a hard time supporting the Jets and they are = or have 10-20K more people than Quebec city, the NHL will not want 2 teams in canada that could fold any given year
- Mithos

The Nordiques have a history, and like the Jets they have a billionaire in Bell....No on e was going back to Winnipeg..until they were

1. Would the NHL put a team in Markham?

I really doubt it.

2. Would the Lefs be OK with it, and would it actually matter?

Not sure that the Leafs would be happy and not really sure if their one vote would be a killer if that was the way the league was going.

3. Do you think Markham or Quebec could actually support a team with the Habs and Leafs so much a part of the culture?

I think Quebec could support a franchise.

If you could pick two cities to put expansion teams, where would thay be?

Quebec & Houston

No

The Nordiques have a history, and like the Jets they have a billionaire in Bell....No on e was going back to Winnipeg..until they were
- Eklund

But the Jets attendance numbers are flat out embarrassing for a Canadian market.

The Nordiques have a history, and like the Jets they have a billionaire in Bell....No on e was going back to Winnipeg..until they were
- Eklund

Right and Winnipeg is proving to be a disaster.

Financially the situation there is much worse than they are leading people to believe.

Right and Winnipeg is proving to be a disaster.

Financially the situation there is much worse than they are leading people to believe.
- BINGO!

But the rich owner can keep it afloat.

34 teams ....might as well do like European Football and establish tiers.

If the Leafs have consistently resisted allowing a team in Hamilton, why on earth would they allow a team in Markham, ON? And of course it matters, territorial rights are a big deal in the NHL.

When was Quebec City ever promised another NHL team? I don't remember ever reading that anywhere.

If you want to know where the next expansion will occur, if it does occur, look at a list of the Top 50 TV markets in the US. I've posted it here before but really don't feel like looking for it. The current state of the Jets tell you all you need to know about the possibility of a new team in Quebec City.

Markham will never happen

I give Quebec about a 1/100 chance unless the NHL expands to 36 teams, then I give them 1/20

Bettman wants a team in every major US tv market and/or region. So look for expansion to 2 or 4 of the following:
Phoenix (yes, again)
Houston
Atlanta
Kansas City
Austin
Portland

They don’t want any more teams in Canada

Markham will never happen

I give Quebec about a 1/100 chance unless the NHL expands to 36 teams, then I give them 1/20

Bettman wants a team in every major US tv market and/or region. So look for expansion to 2 or 4 of the following:
Phoenix (yes, again)
Houston
Atlanta
Kansas City
Austin
Portland

They don’t want any more teams in Canada
- BiggE

I remember Kansas was hot 🔥 when the pens was on the ropes financially.

There are enough teams in the league now. That said……another team in the GTA could easily be supported. Would be a great rivalry and perhaps put some pressure on the Leafs to get their act together.

There are enough teams in Quebec right now.

There are enough teams in the league now. That said……another team in the GTA could easily be supported. Would be a great rivalry and perhaps put some pressure on the Leafs to get their act together.
- Bullot

Guessing Toronto ownership, and maybe even Ottawa and Buffalo, would not approve an additional team in Ontario. Regardless, as I understand it the financials would only make sense in expanding US cities.

Forget adding teams they should move two teams and eliminate another two rather than increasing mediocrity.. Ottawa… San Jose… Winnipeg… Adios

Bell has major debt issues right now

Bell has major debt issues right now
- Zezel

"One less bell 🔔 to answer"